91–100 of 194 posts
Your description really isn't enough to give you advice. You should post your resume online somewhere and link to it. But, based on what you said, I can tell you: Using Python in school and at a job doesn't make you a Python Hacker. From your description of yourself it sounds like you mostly play with programming. It may just be the way you worded it, but what was the last 'major' software project you have worked on,…
I personally wouldn't want to do either, but it sounds like you have to decide if you want to compromise on technology or moving to a larger market.
Maybe being blunt, but if you're seriously about to be out of house and home because you can't find a job, you need to lower your fence. Aspiring to be a programmer/hacker/startup guy is great, but even a job stacking shelves in a shop would give you enough money to survive on while you continue looking for a job you'd enjoy (Or working on your own projects). Put it this way, living on the street gives you hardly any…
I'd try finding some kind of homeostasis first -- possibly including some kind of job you'll never put on your resume, and cutting living expenses to the bone if you haven't already; and is there any social services support available? -- and once you've stopped the downward slide, it gets easier to think clearly about what to do next.
And as mentioned by others, definitely check out the "hackers wanted" and related topics posted monthly; that's where I got my current gig. But it takes time to get through to where you're actually earning money, even if you start some conversations with interested potential employers -- particularly if you're trying to work remotely! -- so you very likely need to take steps immediately to get things back under control regardless of what options turn up there.
Maybe being blunt, but if you're seriously about to be out of house and home because you can't find a job, you need to lower your fence. Aspiring to be a programmer/hacker/startup guy is great, but even a job stacking shelves in a shop would give you enough money to survive on while you continue looking for a job you'd enjoy (Or working on your own projects). Put it this way, living on the street gives you hardly any…
You are not your job. It is illegal to be homeless in the USA.
As someone born and raised in Michigan and whose partner was also born and raised in Michigan, my advice is that other than visiting grandparents and hiking and touring breweries, you will find your opportunities tremendously expanded by as quickly as possible getting the fuck out of Michigan.
Another Michigan ex-pat here to completely agree. Grew up in mid-Michigan, went to a big university there for CS, and I wasn't interested in writing .NET or Java for an insurance company. That led to moving to SF to hack on Python and JavaScript with other hipster hackers. The only thing I really miss is Michigan's summer heat (it's mid 60's and windy here - in July).
Move to Ann Arbor, get a CS job. Until you get on your feet down here you can do contract work through a company like Stout Systems http://stoutsystems.com/
Move to Indianapolis, Chicago, or Cleveland, if you want to stay in the midwest (I'm in Chicago and wouldn't blame you).
Strong agree with the overall sentiment that you can't stay in Grand Rapids if you want to be a dev.
Move to Ann Arbor, get a CS job. Until you get on your feet down here you can do contract work through a company like Stout Systems http://stoutsystems.com/
Don't move to Ann Arbor. There's like 6 companies within a 30 mile radius that can hire you there. Move to Indianapolis, Chicago, or Cleveland, if you want to stay in the midwest (I'm in Chicago and wouldn't blame you). Strong agree with the overall sentiment that you can't stay in Grand Rapids if you want to be a dev.